DRC Basketball Team Awaits Unpaid Primes Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

The national basketball team of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Leopards, is gearing up for a crucial phase of the 2027 Basketball World Cup qualifiers, but their preparation is severely hampered by a lack of financial support. President of the Congolese Basketball Federation, Paulin Kabongo, has voiced serious concerns, revealing that the players have yet to receive their promised primes from the previous qualifying window held in Dakar. This situation is particularly disheartening given the team's high ambitions for the tournament.

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To this day, even though it concerns the qualifiers for the Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, we haven't even received a penny from that competition. And yet, the Minister of Sports was present in Dakar.

Kabongo highlighted the stark contrast in resources and support between the basketball team and their football counterparts, who typically receive substantial backing. The non-payment of primes not only affects the players' morale but also directly impacts their physical condition and readiness, as adequate preparation is intrinsically linked to having the necessary means. Kabongo stressed that a player's physical state and mindset are paramount, and these are directly influenced by the quality of their preparation, which in turn depends on financial resources.

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Everything depends on the player's physical condition, state of mind, but especially preparation. And good preparation requires having the means.

Despite these considerable obstacles, including what Kabongo perceives as discriminatory treatment compared to other sports, the Leopards maintain a strong sense of optimism. Kabongo firmly believes in the team's potential to achieve a historic qualification for the World Cup, provided they receive adequate support. The upcoming third window of qualifiers is scheduled for July 2026, and the team's performance hinges on addressing these financial and logistical challenges promptly.

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And this is done with discrimination, because you know, the treatment given to football is not the treatment given to us.